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| Los Padres National Forest |
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Los Padres National Forest encompasses approximately 1.75 million acres of California's scenic
Central Coast. The forest stretches across almost 220 miles from north to south and consists of two separate
land divisions. The northern division is within Monterey County and northern San Luis Obispo County and
includes the beautiful Big Sur Coast. The "main division" of the forest includes lands within San Luis Obispo,
Santa Barbara, Ventura and Kern Counties.
Central Coast. The forest stretches across almost 220 miles from north to south and consists of two separate
land divisions. The northern division is within Monterey County and northern San Luis Obispo County and
includes the beautiful Big Sur Coast. The "main division" of the forest includes lands within San Luis Obispo,
Santa Barbara, Ventura and Kern Counties.
Ecosystems in Los Padres National Forest range from semi-desert in interior areas to redwood forest on the
coast. Forest vegetation is classified into two major types: chaparral (68%) and forested lands (30%). Forested
land includes mixed evergreen forests, oak woodland, pinyon-juniper woodland, and conifer forest. The varied
habitats and terrain of the forest provide refuge for approximately 468 species of fish and wildlife. Currently there
are twenty-three threatened and endangered animals which occur in the Los Padres National Forest. The forest
has one endangered plant, two threatened plant species, and 71 sensitive plant species. The Forest hosts the
California Condor Recovery Program and reintroduction of California condors into the wild. Currently there are
seventy condors in the wild population in California.
coast. Forest vegetation is classified into two major types: chaparral (68%) and forested lands (30%). Forested
land includes mixed evergreen forests, oak woodland, pinyon-juniper woodland, and conifer forest. The varied
habitats and terrain of the forest provide refuge for approximately 468 species of fish and wildlife. Currently there
are twenty-three threatened and endangered animals which occur in the Los Padres National Forest. The forest
has one endangered plant, two threatened plant species, and 71 sensitive plant species. The Forest hosts the
California Condor Recovery Program and reintroduction of California condors into the wild. Currently there are
seventy condors in the wild population in California.
Wildfires have burned over 2.3 million acres in Los Padres
National Forest since 1912, for a historic average of 25,000 acres
per year. Most wildfires in the forest are human-caused, the
balance are lightning-caused. Wildfires are occurring more often
due to increased recreational use and aging chapparal.
Much of Los Padres National Forest is primitive and without
automobile access. There are ten congressionally designated
wildernesses comprising approximately 875,000 acres or about
48% of the forest. These include the Ventana, Silver Peak, Santa
Lucia, Machesna, Garcia, San Rafael, Dick Smith, Sespe, Matilija
and Chumash wildernesses.
National Forest since 1912, for a historic average of 25,000 acres
per year. Most wildfires in the forest are human-caused, the
balance are lightning-caused. Wildfires are occurring more often
due to increased recreational use and aging chapparal.
Much of Los Padres National Forest is primitive and without
automobile access. There are ten congressionally designated
wildernesses comprising approximately 875,000 acres or about
48% of the forest. These include the Ventana, Silver Peak, Santa
Lucia, Machesna, Garcia, San Rafael, Dick Smith, Sespe, Matilija
and Chumash wildernesses.
Los Padres National Forest has several prehistoric and historic Native American sites. The forest contains some
of the most extraordinary native rock art to be found anywhere in the world. Created by the Chumash and Esselen
tribes, these complex and intriguing pictographs are found on numerous rock outcroppings and caves throughout
the area.
of the most extraordinary native rock art to be found anywhere in the world. Created by the Chumash and Esselen
tribes, these complex and intriguing pictographs are found on numerous rock outcroppings and caves throughout
the area.
The spectacular Big Sur Coastline, an international treasure, is
one of the outstanding features of Los Padres National Forest.
The Scenic Drive down Highway 1attracts visitors year-round.
Several key land acquisitions in Big Sur have been accomplished
in recent years making more outstanding areas available. Land
acquisitions in this area from 1992 to the present included a total
of almost 9,300 acres. The Forest recently acquired the
1,226-acre Brazil Ranch in the Bixby Creek area. This beautiful
property, with over two miles of coastline, was purchased through
a partnership with the Trust for Public Land. Guided walks through
the ranch are held on a regular basis. (See Local Events for info.)
one of the outstanding features of Los Padres National Forest.
The Scenic Drive down Highway 1attracts visitors year-round.
Several key land acquisitions in Big Sur have been accomplished
in recent years making more outstanding areas available. Land
acquisitions in this area from 1992 to the present included a total
of almost 9,300 acres. The Forest recently acquired the
1,226-acre Brazil Ranch in the Bixby Creek area. This beautiful
property, with over two miles of coastline, was purchased through
a partnership with the Trust for Public Land. Guided walks through
the ranch are held on a regular basis. (See Local Events for info.)
If you go: Please remember to be careful! You are primarily responsible for your own safety. Look out for
natural hazards and dangers when you are in the forest. If you hike off trails or swim or dive in streams or lakes,
you do so at YOUR OWN RISK. Help is not close by. Every year, people become lost, while others face injury or
death from falls. Safety.
Also, respect the area. This summer, we were appalled at the amount of trash in the Big Sur River at Pfeiffer. Take
out your trash and leave everything else. Do not approach wildlife and tread gently on the trail. Many of our species
are extremely rare and sensitive.
Be especially careful with fire. Check in at the Ranger's Station and be aware of any posted fire restrictions.
Rules and Regulations.
natural hazards and dangers when you are in the forest. If you hike off trails or swim or dive in streams or lakes,
you do so at YOUR OWN RISK. Help is not close by. Every year, people become lost, while others face injury or
death from falls. Safety.
Also, respect the area. This summer, we were appalled at the amount of trash in the Big Sur River at Pfeiffer. Take
out your trash and leave everything else. Do not approach wildlife and tread gently on the trail. Many of our species
are extremely rare and sensitive.
Be especially careful with fire. Check in at the Ranger's Station and be aware of any posted fire restrictions.
Rules and Regulations.
| Photo from about 1913. Origin Unknown. |
| Pico Blanco early Twentieth Century. (Hasn't changed much.) |
